Money given to fund June Richards Scholarship

FORT WORTH, Texas (SWBTS) -- Dorothy Patterson, wife of Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary president Paige Patterson, has established a scholarship fund at the seminary in honor of June Richards, wife of Southern Baptists of Texas Convention executive director Jim Richards. Patterson named the scholarship after Richards because of her example of quiet, behind-the-scenes ministry alongside her husband.

“God has put in my heart a vision to prepare the next generation of women to embrace biblical womanhood in its beauty and duty,” Patterson said.

“Women whose husbands are equipping themselves here at Southwestern are in a place and at a time in their lives when they often can pursue equipping as well, but they do not have resources.”

Once fully endowed, the scholarship will be awarded to a student in the College at Southwestern’s homemaking concentration or to a woman studying in another degree program.

“My goal is to provide the resources needed to provide scholarships for these humble and godly women who are sacrificing their own needs as well as wants in order to help their husbands complete pastoral preparation,” Patterson said. She added that Southwestern teaches women to follow the biblical paradigm modeled in Titus 2, noting June Richards’ example.

“June Richards is a perfect fit for this vision,” Patterson said. She said she is blessed and honored to make the first gift and requested help in fully funding the scholarship.

“I want to challenge Texas Baptists to join me in funding this wonderful scholarship bearing the name of June Richards, our First Lady of the Southern Baptists of Texas Convention. Give the next generation of women we are training at Southwestern both financial help and a fitting model to realize their maximum potential as ministry wives.”

The Southern Baptist TEXAN published an article on Feb. 21 highlighting the scholarship and biographical information regarding Richards’ life. According to the article, Richards was grateful and surprised to receive such recognition. To read the article, visit http://bit.ly/ezQb6c.